New Trail at Cumberland State Forest

Last Thursday and Friday I had the great pleasure of working with the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) group from Bear Creek Lake State Park. These young men spend three weeks of their hard earned summer vacation performing various work for the state park including maintenance, moving the archery range, and trail work. In a welcome partnership with Bear Creek Lake State Park, park ranger Joey Dayton, offered me two days of service from these hardworking gentlemen.

Led by three team supervisors the group showed on Thursday morning not knowing fully what to expect except that it was going to be HOT! In near 100 degree temperatures I led them to Arrowhead Lake on the Cumberland State Forest. Our goal was to clear a one mile trail that would take users on a loop around the lake. The trail was designed to give fishermen better access to different parts of the lake as well as provide a short nature trail for enjoyment. The plan is to eventually put a picnic shelter at the parking area for the lake which would allow forest visitors a chance to enjoy a meal and then enjoy the woods.

The YCC group was an absolute pleasure to work with. They were constantly talking and laughing all while digging in the heat. They chopped small trees, cleared brush, and dug a trail down to bare dirt in no time. The high temperature did take effect on the crew by the early afternoon, but I was more than happy to turn them loose early to go back to the park and get some swim/free time in. The next day the crew showed up ready to work and quickly found their rhythm. The trail is approximately halfway done, reaching from the far side of the dam almost to the creek that feeds the lake. I didn't expect them to finish the trail in only two days but they certainly put every effort towards it.

Words cannot express my gratitude towards the YCC group as well as the state park for allowing me to use them! I look forward to participating in the YCC program in the future as this is a great opportunity for young men and women to gain valuable experience in a natural resource career. THANK YOU YCC!

New Trail at Cumberland State Forest

Last Thursday and Friday I had the great pleasure of working with the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) group from Bear Creek Lake State Park. These young men spend three weeks of their hard earned summer vacation performing various work for the state park including maintenance, moving the archery range, and trail work. In a welcome partnership with Bear Creek Lake State Park, park ranger Joey Dayton, offered me two days of service from these hardworking gentlemen.

Led by three team supervisors the group showed on Thursday morning not knowing fully what to expect except that it was going to be HOT! In near 100 degree temperatures I led them to Arrowhead Lake on the Cumberland State Forest. Our goal was to clear a one mile trail that would take users on a loop around the lake. The trail was designed to give fishermen better access to different parts of the lake as well as provide a short nature trail for enjoyment. The plan is to eventually put a picnic shelter at the parking area for the lake which would allow forest visitors a chance to enjoy a meal and then enjoy the woods.

The YCC group was an absolute pleasure to work with. They were constantly talking and laughing all while digging in the heat. They chopped small trees, cleared brush, and dug a trail down to bare dirt in no time. The high temperature did take effect on the crew by the early afternoon, but I was more than happy to turn them loose early to go back to the park and get some swim/free time in. The next day the crew showed up ready to work and quickly found their rhythm. The trail is approximately halfway done, reaching from the far side of the dam almost to the creek that feeds the lake. I didn't expect them to finish the trail in only two days but they certainly put every effort towards it.

Words cannot express my gratitude towards the YCC group as well as the state park for allowing me to use them! I look forward to participating in the YCC program in the future as this is a great opportunity for young men and women to gain valuable experience in a natural resource career. THANK YOU YCC!

Birding

Recently the Nation Audubon Society conducted a survey of Virginia Important Bird Areas (IBA). I was forwarded a list of species found while one of the surveyors was at Cumberland State Forest. In just three hours she found all of the following on the forest:

Ovenbird 21

Cape May warbler 2

Louisiana waterthrush 4

Hooded warbler 8

Northern parula 8

Red-eyed vireo 24

Carolina wren 7

Wood duck 1

Blue gray gnatcatcher 9

Eastern pheobe 1

Kentucky warbler 3

Eastern wood peewee 8

Downy woodpecker 2

Great crested flycatcher 6

Acadian flycatcher 9

Northern cardinal 2

Common yellowthroat 12

Tufted titmouse 4

Northern flicker 1

Prothonotary warbler 2

White-eyed vireo 6

Blue jay 4

Yellow-billed cuckoo 6

Red-bellied WP 4

Pileated woodpecker 2

American crow 5

Indigo bunting 8

Black polled warbler 5

Prairie warbler 15

Yellow throated vireo 3

Black and white warbler 5

Bay-breasted warbler 1

Scarlet tanager 6

Field sparrow 4

Red headed WP 1

Chipping sparrow 1

American goldfinch 3

Carolina chickadee 2

Red-shouldered hawk 1

Wood thrush 4

Blue-headed vireo 2

Pine warbler 4

Yellow breasted chat 6

Eastern towhee 6

Brown headed cowbird 2

Yellow throated warbler 1

Brown thrasher 1

Summer tanager 2

Northern mockingbird 1

Now just imagine what you could find in a whole day!

Birding

Recently the Nation Audubon Society conducted a survey of Virginia Important Bird Areas (IBA). I was forwarded a list of species found while one of the surveyors was at Cumberland State Forest. In just three hours she found all of the following on the forest:

Ovenbird 21

Cape May warbler 2

Louisiana waterthrush 4

Hooded warbler 8

Northern parula 8

Red-eyed vireo 24

Carolina wren 7

Wood duck 1

Blue gray gnatcatcher 9

Eastern pheobe 1

Kentucky warbler 3

Eastern wood peewee 8

Downy woodpecker 2

Great crested flycatcher 6

Acadian flycatcher 9

Northern cardinal 2

Common yellowthroat 12

Tufted titmouse 4

Northern flicker 1

Prothonotary warbler 2

White-eyed vireo 6

Blue jay 4

Yellow-billed cuckoo 6

Red-bellied WP 4

Pileated woodpecker 2

American crow 5

Indigo bunting 8

Black polled warbler 5

Prairie warbler 15

Yellow throated vireo 3

Black and white warbler 5

Bay-breasted warbler 1

Scarlet tanager 6

Field sparrow 4

Red headed WP 1

Chipping sparrow 1

American goldfinch 3

Carolina chickadee 2

Red-shouldered hawk 1

Wood thrush 4

Blue-headed vireo 2

Pine warbler 4

Yellow breasted chat 6

Eastern towhee 6

Brown headed cowbird 2

Yellow throated warbler 1

Brown thrasher 1

Summer tanager 2

Northern mockingbird 1

Now just imagine what you could find in a whole day!

What is that purple box hanging in that tree?

Have you seen this purple box? Do you know what it is? If you guessed a trap used for detecting the Emerald Ash Borer, you are right! The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive insect that has found it's way into Virginia.
EAB is already responsible for the death of millions of ash trees. First found in Michigan in 2002 this metallic green insect has wreaked havoc across thirteen states and parts of Canada. EAB was found in Fairfax, VA several years ago. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services have been monitoring for the pest and fortunately have yet to find any significant moves. However, the EAB is a clever little bug and has figured out that it is easier to travel with unsuspecting humans than to fly from tree to tree. That is why it is VERY IMPORTANT that you do not transport firewood 1) from any of the quarantined counties (check VDOF website for list or google EAB in VA) and 2) for long distances. I know paying for firewood in a park or forest is ridiculous when you can bring it yourself, but trust me, spreading EAB will cost much more.

So why do I care that this bug kills ash trees? What are they good for anyways? Well ash is most famously used for America's favorite past time, that's right, baseball. Ash is the best wood out there for baseball bats, dense and elastic. You might also find out that your electric guitar is made from ash (that could explain why they are so hard to break on stage). Ash also plays an important role in the forest as a common riparian species. Riparian species are found near waterways and can act as huge filters for sediment and chemicals trying to reach the water. Ash make great yard trees as they are both beautiful and provide excellent shade.

Back to the traps now. I had an opportunity to participate in the monitoring for this insect through the Society of American Foresters. I have placed two traps at Holliday Lake State Park and two at Bear Creek Lake State Park. I will be checking these traps in late June and then again in August before taking them down. I certainly hope that I don't find anything.

What is that purple box hanging in that tree?

Have you seen this purple box? Do you know what it is? If you guessed a trap used for detecting the Emerald Ash Borer, you are right! The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive insect that has found it's way into Virginia.
EAB is already responsible for the death of millions of ash trees. First found in Michigan in 2002 this metallic green insect has wreaked havoc across thirteen states and parts of Canada. EAB was found in Fairfax, VA several years ago. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services have been monitoring for the pest and fortunately have yet to find any significant moves. However, the EAB is a clever little bug and has figured out that it is easier to travel with unsuspecting humans than to fly from tree to tree. That is why it is VERY IMPORTANT that you do not transport firewood 1) from any of the quarantined counties (check VDOF website for list or google EAB in VA) and 2) for long distances. I know paying for firewood in a park or forest is ridiculous when you can bring it yourself, but trust me, spreading EAB will cost much more.

So why do I care that this bug kills ash trees? What are they good for anyways? Well ash is most famously used for America's favorite past time, that's right, baseball. Ash is the best wood out there for baseball bats, dense and elastic. You might also find out that your electric guitar is made from ash (that could explain why they are so hard to break on stage). Ash also plays an important role in the forest as a common riparian species. Riparian species are found near waterways and can act as huge filters for sediment and chemicals trying to reach the water. Ash make great yard trees as they are both beautiful and provide excellent shade.

Back to the traps now. I had an opportunity to participate in the monitoring for this insect through the Society of American Foresters. I have placed two traps at Holliday Lake State Park and two at Bear Creek Lake State Park. I will be checking these traps in late June and then again in August before taking them down. I certainly hope that I don't find anything.

Cumberland State Forest

On Monday I spent a wonderful day playing in the rain at Cumberland State Forest. I started the day off by taking a hike around Channel Cat Loop at Bear Creek Lake State Park. On May 15th during the trail celebration I will be leading a guided hike about trees and wanted to get a preview and some talking points. Halfway around this 2 mile loop the sky opened up and I got drenched. But it was totally worth it when I encountered a whole colony of pink ladyslippers! For those who don't like pine plantations and say they are not diverse, I would say, why then does this uncommon orchid make it's home there?

After getting out of the rain for a bit I decided to hike along the Cumberland Multiuse Trail and clear some downed trees. I also wanted to check on the swinging bridge and some other areas. I also began to look at a trail that will extend from the southern swinging bridge, past three beaver ponds, following the Willis River and Bear Creek, and popping out on the far side of the forest. This would be potentially a 5+ mile loop with an excellent opportunity for wildlife viewing.

At the end of the day I had a great time visiting with the wonderful Friends of Bear Creek Lake State Park and we prepare for the May 15th trail celebration!

Cumberland State Forest

On Monday I spent a wonderful day playing in the rain at Cumberland State Forest. I started the day off by taking a hike around Channel Cat Loop at Bear Creek Lake State Park. On May 15th during the trail celebration I will be leading a guided hike about trees and wanted to get a preview and some talking points. Halfway around this 2 mile loop the sky opened up and I got drenched. But it was totally worth it when I encountered a whole colony of pink ladyslippers! For those who don't like pine plantations and say they are not diverse, I would say, why then does this uncommon orchid make it's home there?

After getting out of the rain for a bit I decided to hike along the Cumberland Multiuse Trail and clear some downed trees. I also wanted to check on the swinging bridge and some other areas. I also began to look at a trail that will extend from the southern swinging bridge, past three beaver ponds, following the Willis River and Bear Creek, and popping out on the far side of the forest. This would be potentially a 5+ mile loop with an excellent opportunity for wildlife viewing.

At the end of the day I had a great time visiting with the wonderful Friends of Bear Creek Lake State Park and we prepare for the May 15th trail celebration!

Cumberland State Forest

So I've posted a few items about what's going on at Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest but here is some information about Cumberland State Forest. As the second largest state forest (16,222 acres) CSF is a great place for a day trip and can be combined with a visit to Bear Creek Lake State Park which has camping or top of the line cabins available. Both the forest and the park have a fairly extensive system of trails that provide a good experience for any user.

There are currently two new trails planned for Cumberland to be done as time, money, and labor are available. The first would be a loop trail around Arrowhead Lake which would be approximately one mile in length. If I can get a good bid on picnic shelters I would like to place one at Arrowhead Lake towards the spillway on the dam. I would also like to eventually fix up the boat ramp, however, I feel the issue of sedimentation filling in the lake must be addressed first. The second trail is planned from the southern swinging bridge (past Arrowhead Lake) through some wetlands and ending near the State Forest Headquarters. This would be a great trail for birdwatching and general wildlife activity as it passes through some diverse habitat. I haven't decided if these will be multiple use yet, it largely depends on how the tread will turn out once we initially begin construction.

Currently equestrian parking takes place in the field in front of the historic house and state forest headquarters. We have decided to move parking to another area of the forest. I have applied for a Land and Water Conservation Grant to move the parking lot across the road next to the neatly thinned pines. There is another area that could be used and may be planned if the grant falls through. This area is located off of Goff Road which is down towards Rt. 60. Both locations would provide good access to the Cumberland Multiuse Trail (CMT)and would give users more room to spread out and would provide amenities such as hitching posts, a mounting block, a picnic shelter, corral, and a non-potable well (though we may be able to tap into a water line and make it potable). I know moving the current location is not desirable but it has been decided that we need to move parking from our "front lawn" if you will and give users a more stable area that could be used in all weather conditions. For the time being, however, users can still park in the field until another facility has been built.

Speaking of parking, four new small parking lots have been constructed on the forest along the CMT and Willis River Trail. These lots are located on Bear Creek Forest Road, Rock Quarry Road, Rt. 624 near the Willis River Trail, and Warner Road at the northern swinging bridge. These are fairly small lots but would be ideal for bikers and hikers (car parking).

So that was a mouthful but hopefully gives everyone some insight as to what's going on down in Cumberland. Come on out and check out this awesome forest!

Upcoming Event

Join the folks at Bear Creek Lake State Park and Cumberland State Forest on May 15, 2010 for an afternoon of fun as we celebrate our natural resources and the grand opening of some new trails on the park. There will be refreshments, guest speakers, activities for children, and guided hikes for anyone interested. I will be leading a tree id hike along the Channel Cat Loop trail.

Did you know?...Bear Creek Lake State Park and Cumberland State Forest were at one time just one big recreation area. Towards the end of the Great Depression the land was deeded to the Commonwealth of Virginia by the federal government who had purchased the land through the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act. The land was in poor condition after constant agricultural use and people there could no longer farm it for a living. Bear Creek Lake was built on the property which provided a recreational opportunity. Slowly more recreational features were developed around the lake and eventually Bear Creek State Park was formed to handle the lake and recreation while Cumberland State Forest was split off to care for the developing forest land.